Websites Now

Review summary

Good points

• Good quality integrated ecommerce system

• Simple to use

• Lots of widgets

• Ready-formatted pages

Bad points

• No choice of plans

• Limited number of pages

Our verdict

With a strong list of widgets, features and applications – not least an integrated shopping cart – Websites Now offers the full package in a simple, user-friendly format. If you want to get online fast, try this online website builder to see if you get results.

Full review

If you’re looking for a simple and easy to use ecommerce package you’ll be successful with Websites Now – although there are more comprehensive ecommerce packages available the Websites Now offering is economical and takes you online quickly. Even if you are not interested in the ecommerce features, this website builder still packs a lot into the package. We checked out the features to see where this website builder scores points.

Sign up

If you’re fed up with trying to decipher the multiple plans on offer from other companies, Websites Now makes it simpler with one plan on offer. The plan is $29.95 per month but you can save money by paying in advance. The plan includes up to 500 pages and five email accounts. If you can’t decide whether the package is for you, you can get a free 10-day trial or get your money back up until 30 days.

Design Options

Websites Now offers the usual selection of pre-designed templates you can use to set up your own website. You can edit and format your chosen template without having to use any code, although if you have the skills you have the flexibility to work on your design in HTML or add JavaScript. The non-code text editors are similar in style to a word processor and you can edit and upload new logos or images, change the background, link or text colour, and change the background image. We liked the fact that Websites Now offers a good degree of customization opportunity if you have knowledge of HTML.

Widgets

One of the best ways you can engage with your visitors and attract buyers or interested readers is to set up a blog. Websites Now has a blog feature which you can update as often as you like. Customize and revamp your site by adding photo albums, and upload multimedia music or video files. Collect visitor feedback with a customizable feedback form, and add a guest book for visitors to have their say. With additional applications such as a message board for discussion, a mailing list and newsletter function, an FAQ page, map, calendar and coupons page, we found Websites Now to be pleasantly provided with widgets and features. Several pre-set pages allow you to add information easily that is ready-formatted, for example a page of articles, a page of press releases, or a page of quotes.

Features

Ecommerce –Websites Now is geared towards the website owner who wants to sell online, so the ecommerce features are good. You get a shopping cart integrated with PayPal and Authorize.net and a secure checkout process. There are no transaction fees or any set-up fees associated with the shopping cart feature. You can add up to 500 products with multiple options like colour and size, and have up to three images per product. Websites Now includes a set of ecommerce features that are useful, including inventory tracking features, coupons and discounts, and comment boxes.

SEO –Customize the meta tags on your pages in a separate section of the admin area. A free trial is available to the Submitnet search engine optimization tool, and there are tips and ideas for how to improve your SEO.

Hosting & domains

Once your account is activated you can register for a free domain name to be used with your site, and if you have an existing domain name you can transfer it to your Websites Now site for free. We like the fact that your domain name can be personal.

Ease of use

The Websites Now package is designed for the novice or beginner and the whole thing is easy to use. Simple customization tools, easy-to-use widgets and applications and a simple ecommerce system make it within anyone’s reach to get a functioning website online in a few hours.

Help & support

Browse through the Knowledge Base of frequently asked questions, watch videos and tutorials, or email to submit a question using the ticket system. This system is best used for technical problems or for billing issues. If your problem is more complex you can call toll-free from Monday to Thursday.

Overall

For online sellers, small business and personal websites, Websites Now is a well-priced, feature-full solution. While there are specialist ecommerce packages available out there, this is a simple solution with added website features.

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